Rings and Things – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | General
Jan. 14, 2000
Among other things, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner received – on what probably amounted to one of the most important and special days of University of Wisconsin tailback, Ron Dayne’s life – a dinner in his honor, a portrait to be hung in the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City, and the beautiful, highly recognizable bronze trophy that signifies his gridiron excellence. The NCAA keeps a watchful eye on the number and dollar value of awards and honors its student-athletes receive in its efforts to prevent abuse and extra benefits to young men and women who must remain amateur athletes and even the prestigious Heisman does not escape mention in NCAA bylaws regarding Awards, Benefits and Expenses for enrolled student-athletes.
NCAA bylaw 16.1.3.1 prohibits the receipt of any form of cash award by an enrolled student-athlete. Also included in the list of impermissible awards are gift certificates, country club and sports-club memberships, and the transfer of impermissible awards in the individual’s name to a different individual or agency.
The items that student-athletes are allowed to receive are expressly limited and begin with annual awards for participation or “letter awards.” Bylaw 16.1.4.1 lets institutions present letter awards – which could include jackets and sweaters, watches, plaques, and rings – as well as awards in recognition of special attainments or contributions (e.g., most improved, scholar athlete, MVP). For underclassmen, the cumulative dollar value of a single participation award or multiple awards in a single sport must not exceed $150. Seniors are given a larger limit, $300, for their participation. Special attainment awards may be presented in addition to participation awards but are also limited in value to $150 each.
Bylaw 16.1.4.2 deals with NCAA Championships, Regional/National awards and Special events. The total value of any single award to any one student-athlete for a special event may not exceed $300. Two notable exceptions to this rule are “Established National Awards,” like the Heisman and the Butkus Award, which have no value limit on the accompanying commemorative trophies given and awards presented by the NCAA for participation in National Championship competitions. Institutions may give awards to its student-athletes in addition to these national honors but, again, the total value must not exceed $300.
The $300 dollar limit appears again with respect to awards given to student-athletes for such honors as: “Most-Valuable-Player Awards for special events,” “Bowl Game or All-Star Game Awards,” awards for “National Championships” that are presented by the institution, and for “National Championships Not Conducted by NCAA” (football). In each of these instances the institution and any awarding agency, firm, wire service poll, or national coaches association is strictly limited in the awards that it is able to present to student-athletes.
Finally, if any student-athlete receives an award or benefit not authorized by the NCAA, he or she will be declared ineligible for athletic competition for the sport for which the improper award was received and the institution will need to seek reinstatement of his or her eligibility.
Please remember that the above information addresses only the key issues of the extensive NCAA Bylaws concerning Awards, Benefits and Expenses for enrolled student-athletes and is not an exhaustive discussion. For specific questions or to receive more information, please contact The Ohio State University Compliance Office at (614) 292-2681.
